Fierce fighting erupts between Taliban, Islamic State-K in Kabul after Eid Gah blast

Kabul, Oct 4: Within hours of a deadly suicide bombing at the Kabul Eid Gah during funeral prayers for Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid’s mother, the Taliban militia were locked in a fierce gun battle with Islamic State-Khorasan operatives in a suburb of the capital late on Sunday night.
The Taliban militia reportedly conducted operations in Kabul’s northern suburb-Police District 17, Khair Khana- — to eliminate a safe haven of the ISIS Khorasan branch.
Local residents confirmed that light and heavy weapons were used in the gun battle and also reported two explosions, Khaama news agency reported.
Taliban sources told the website that they launched operations in PD17 to eliminate a hideout of the ISIS-K.
Photographs on social media showed flames going up in the sky as the hideout was destroyed. At least three people were killed.
The operation was conducted hours after a suicide bomber exploded his explosives in the Eid Gah mosque where Taliban authorities and civilians had gathered for the funeral prayers of the mother of Zabihullah Mujahid- spokesperson of the Taliban.
The explosion reportedly left more than 10 killed and over 20 more wounded.
No one has taken the responsibility for the explosion yet.
The operation in PD17 was purportedly conducted to target the suspects behind the Eid Gah blast but the Taliban have not said anything yet.
Mujahid said on Twitter: “Last night, a special unit of the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate carried out an operation against ISIS insurgents in Kabul’s 17th constituency.
“As a result of this operation, which was very decisive and successful, the ISIS center was completely destroyed and all the ISIS members in it were killed.” UNI